Women played an important role in Dorset during the First World War. Dorset History Centre holds an information booklet issued by the War Office to local officials in September 1916. It aimed to demonstrate that women had successfully taken on jobs formerly occupied by men, and thus encourage the release of additional male workers into the… Read more Women in the war
One of the most unexpected items within Dorset History Centre’s collections is a small black and white poster dating from 1796. It advertises a fencing match in Southampton by a woman; Mademoiselle Charlotte Genevieve Louis D’Eon, also known as the Chevalier D’Eon. A life less ordinary By current classification, Mademoiselle D’Eon would likely be considered… Read more Gender Recognition – at the Point of a Sword
Records in the Borough of Poole archive reveal details of the first policemen to be employed in the town, including their uniforms, expected conduct and rewards. A paid police force Organised crime prevention has existed for centuries, beginning with the early night watchmen and parish constables appointed by Justices of the Peace and other town… Read more Law and order in Poole
Our Archives Project Technician, Amber, continues her journey into the Herbert Photographic Collection. She discovers the surprisingly labour-intensive processes behind transporting Portland limestone off the island in the 1960s (reference: D-HBT/5275). Today, the process of moving, lifting and carrying quarried stone is a relatively simple affair: forklifts, conveyors and front end loaders make easy work… Read more A special shipment of Portland stone
Weymouth and its inhabitants suffered greatly during the war; its proximity to the naval base at Portland and its well-protected bay left it at the receiving end of several bombing raids. The worst affected area in the borough was Chapelhay, residing on the southern side of the harbour. Photographs taken after the war show the extent… Read more Destruction and Creation
Amber, our newly appointed Archives Project Technician, recommences work digitising the fascinating Herbert Collection. She shares some specially selected snapshots of Dorset from times gone by. As one of Dorset History Centre’s newest additions to the team, I find myself with the fascinating privilege of delving through three decades of local Dorset history, as documented pictorially… Read more Delightfully retro festive photography
The Christmas Truce of 1914 has passed now almost into legend. Great armies engaged on the Western Front in the bloodiest of all wars called a ceasefire and instead came together in a spirit of peace to exchange gifts, play football and sing carols. Diaries held at Dorset History Centre provide a first-hand account of… Read more Christmas Truce recorded in WW1 diary
Many local people are aware that Weymouth was originally two towns; Melcombe Regis to the north of the harbour, and Weymouth to the south. The two communities had an often fractious relationship, usually related to the harbour. If ships moored on the Weymouth side, Weymouth could take the various charges and petty customs when the… Read more A Bridge Between People
Dorset History Centre has a large collection of local studies books, including many rare and unusual volumes. A particular favourite is a wonderful guide to Weymouth that was published around 1799. Royal Visits The guidebook lacks its title page so unfortunately we do not know the author’s name, but it is one of a number… Read more Regency Tourism and King George III in Weymouth
One January morning in 1599, the bodies of two women were discovered in a house in Poole. Newly catalogued records from the Poole Borough Archive shed light on a murder case which dragged on for over 40 years and led to the execution of one man and suspicion cast on a number of possible accomplices.… Read more Revisiting the ‘High Street Murders’ of 1599
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